"Huh? What do you mean you met a girl playing a game on your way to buy groceries? And then you just went up and played with her?"
In the room on the first floor of the video store, Belle sat on the sofa, glaring at Wise who was standing in front of her. It was clear she was not satisfied with this explanation.
"But that's really what happened. I was thinking that if I waited a little longer, I could buy the discounted ingredients, so..."
"So you went to hit on her?" Belle immediately summarized the key point. But obviously, admitting it was impossible, especially since he hadn't even done anything.
"No, how can you call that hitting on her? Besides, Ellen didn't have any intentions like that."
"Hah~ So the girl's name is Ellen. You already know her name. Then I suppose you've already gotten her contact information as well."
Wise felt a bit awkward upon hearing this. Although he wasn't the one who actively asked for it, he did indeed have her contact info now. Belle, on the other hand, sensed something was wrong. "What? Did you really get her contact information, brother? Hmph, so you were hitting on her after all. And a girl so much younger than you, at that."
"Wait a minute, Belle, when you say it like that, it makes me sound like..."
[Affirmative. The host's behavior should indeed be classified as 'hitting on someone,' and a very successful case at that.]
"Fairy, don't you forget who's paying your five-fold electricity bill."
"...Actually, just exchanging contact information cannot be completely classified as 'hitting on someone.' Based on my understanding of the host, it should just be a 'game friend' relationship."
Fairy's pragmatic shift made Belle unable to resist complaining. "Fairy, you're a little too human-like for an artificial intelligence. Besides, how long have you even known my brother? How can you say 'based on your understanding' already?"
Fairy chose to remain silent at this. At this point, Belle gave Wise a chance to explain. After learning that Ellen had added Wise as a contact to borrow videotapes later, Belle reluctantly accepted it, but then she looked at Wise with a solemn expression. "Brother, if you really want to cheat, then as your sister, although I don't approve, if it really happens, I won't go and tell on you to Anby. But as a friend, I hope you won't do anything to let her down. At the very least, you can't fail Anby."
Hearing Belle speak so seriously on Anby's behalf, Wise felt that he should also make some kind of promise. "Mmm, don't worry, Belle. I will absolutely not let Anby down."
And I will absolutely not let down any other good girl either.
Wise added this sentence in his heart. But before he could say anything more, Belle suddenly pointed at his nose, with an "I knew it" expression. "Aha! So you really do have thoughts of cheating, brother! This is an unforgivable crime!"
Oh no, I was careless!
Seeing this, Wise knew he was in trouble. But it was fine. As long as he insisted he had no such thoughts, everything would be alright. In the end, Wise managed to muddle his way through the situation. After all, they hadn't eaten dinner yet, and a hungry Belle didn't pursue the matter further.
Although she said that, Wise actually felt that Belle seemed to be vaguely supportive of him doing so. Whether it was a misconception or not, Wise had to apologize to Belle in advance. After all, as a normal man, wanting to have many beautiful girls was perfectly normal, especially since he had a system like this. So, what he had to do was to be as responsible as possible for the girls who liked him and whom he came to like.
It was getting late. After the two finished dinner, they each took a bath and went back to their rooms to sleep. It was worth noting that Belle once again found a lame excuse to sleep with Wise, and the latter could only helplessly agree. Seeing this, Belle was overjoyed. She happily lay down on the bed first, then patted the pillow next to her, signaling for Wise to hurry up and join her.
Well, sleeping together isn't actually that big of a deal.
Time passed to the next morning. Having lost the Phaethon account and gaining Fairy, who consumed five times the electricity, this decrease and increase in expenses forced the siblings to start seriously managing the video store's business. Considering that it had been a long time since they had purchased new stock, Wise and Belle were discussing a restocking plan.
Just then, a somewhat familiar young girl seemed to hear their discussion and suddenly walked over. "What? Are you guys getting new stock? That's great! I've already watched every single videotape in the store 10 times."
"10 times..." Belle felt that this was a bit of an exaggeration. What kind of motivation supported her to watch them so many times?
"Yeah! My name is Heth, and I'm your shop's super~ loyal customer. Although I complain that '[This shop has the same few videotapes over and over again, do they even want to stay in business?]', the owner's taste is very much in sync with mine, so I can't help but visit."
As Heth spoke, her eyes couldn't help but drift towards Wise, which made Belle unable to resist complaining, "Is it really just because your tastes are in sync?"
"Ahem, w-well, of course..."
[Current Favorability Target:]
Name: Heth
Gender: Female
Charm: 88 (PS: This charm value is based on the author's own preferences, so it may not be accurate.)
Defining Traits: Omitted
Hobby: Likes to watch videotapes
Current State: Excited, happy
Current Favorability Towards Host: 80
Evaluation: A good, enthusiastic girl, but can be very sharp-tongued at times.
Inner Thoughts:The owner has gotten a lot more handsome lately. It's nice to have something to look at when I come to borrow tapes. Oh, it would be best if I could get his contact info.
The data provided by the system already explained a lot, but it was still clear that she really loved watching videotapes.
"Anyway, it looks like you guys are finally planning to make a comeback."
Actually, it's more like we finally have time to seriously run the video store... Belle thought to herself, but of course, she wouldn't say that out loud. "That's right. We were using a more relaxed management style before, but now we're planning to get serious. But to keep the video store running well, we still need to think of a way."
"Is that so? Do you need my help? I can help publicize the shop!" Heth volunteered to help. And speaking of publicity, one naturally had to mention No. 18, who had always been in charge of this.
"Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm (If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me)."
"Thank you so much, Little 18! Oh, no, I mean, Senior 18." As Heth spoke, she excitedly petted No. 18 as if she were petting a cat. Wait a minute, could this be your real motive?
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